Los Angeles Chargers: Staff predictions vs. Detroit Lions

After a thrilling, overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Los Angeles Chargers head to Detroit to face the winless, and lossless, Detroit Lions.

Both the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions went into overtime in Week 1. The Chargers were able to get the victory by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown on the first drive of overtime.

The Lions were not so lucky as they were not able to win the first game of the season. However, on the positive side of things, they did not lose the first game of the season, either. The Lions tied with the Arizona Cardinals.

This was still like a loss to the Lions, who blew a 24-point lead to a rookie quarterback that, although he is naturally very talented, was not playing well at all in that game up until that point.

The Chargers are hoping to get that fourth-quarter version of the Lions to make this game as smooth sailing as possible. Here is how the LA Sports Hub staff sees it going down.

Ahmad Akkoaoui (2-0): 28-17, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers clawed through a tough game against the Colts and came out with a win in overtime. I don’t think that game should’ve been that close, but the Chargers are pretty banged up and it’s only getting worse.

They also look unfazed without Melvin Gordon because Austin Ekeler is stepping up and filling in perfectly. I mean, I personally don’t mind Gordon being out since I have Ekeler in fantasy football, but that’s a different story.

The Lions, on the other hand, tied in their game against the Cardinals last weekend. Stafford looked pretty good and he might give the Chargers’ defense some trouble. Nonetheless, I have the Chargers improving to 2-0.

Hil Lopez (2-0): 24-20, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers visit Detroit in Week 2. The Chargers look to continue their good start this year, while Detroit looks to rebound from a letdown performance last week. Philip Rivers and Matthew Stafford both threw for over 300 yards in Week 1 against both opponents they played. However, this game will come down to who has the better defense.

The answer to that question is ultimately the Chargers. Even without Derwin James, the Chargers have one of the best corners in the game in Casey Hayward and he will be tasked at ultimately shutting down Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.

The Chargers defense will also rebound on the ground and not give up 174 rushing yards as it did to Marlon Mack last week. The Chargers will win a nail biter on the strength of their defense 24-20.

Redan Lopez (2-0): 27-17, Los Angeles Chargers

The injury bug just loves to take hold of the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive weapons. The Chargers yet again suffered a huge loss with two of their key players, No.2 wide receiver Mike Williams (unspecified knee ailment) and tight end Hunter Henry (left knee fracture, getting injured Week 1 against the Indianapolis.

Despite their loss, the Chargers have plenty of offense to go around with and behind wide receiver Keenan Allen and breakout running back Austin Ekeler. I’m not worried about that. Nor am I worried about their matchup on the road against the Detroit Lions, who have been the definition of mediocrity this decade.

While they did enjoy a good amount of success offensively against the Arizona Cardinals last week, let’s not forget it was against a very young Cardinals team. And the Lions ended up coughing up an 18-point lead in the second half.

The Chargers are much better on both sides of the ball than the Cardinals. As a result, the Lions’ will fall down to earth against a superior Chargers team. Even though the Lions are at home, it’s not enough to “charge” through their opposition.

Jason Reed (2-0): 31-14, Los Angeles Chargers

The injury bug is the thing that everyone is talking about with the Chargers and it absolutely should be. The team is missing two of its best offensive weapons in Mike Williams and Hunter Henry and is obviously without Melvin Gordon and Derwin James on the defense.

However, last week the offense still pretty much did whatever it wanted against the Colts and I think that stays the same this week. Keenan Allen will have another fantastic game with Austin Ekeler getting yards when it matters.

Defensively, the Chargers’ stout secondary and pass-rush will get to Matt Stafford, who is prone to throwing some picks.

I know it might seem unlikely because of the injuries, but I think this will be a blowout win for the Chargers.

Jon Soden (1-1): 31-28, Los Angeles Chargers

This matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions should play out to be an interesting one.

Both teams have many similarities, however, the Chargers seem to be a small step above the Lions. With that said, as seen last week against the Colts, the Chargers love to give their fans panic attacks (growing up a Chargers fan, I know this all too well).

Additionally, given some key injuries on the defensive side, the Lions have a chance to make this game a shootout between Rivers and Stafford. Rivers has had a much better career, but Stafford is a solid quarterback in his own right and has more than enough ability to out-duel Rivers.

Many fans are concerned that Melvin Gordon is holding out, but given last week’s performance by Austin Ekeler, these concerns should be forgone.

In a nailbiter, the Chargers will end up pulling this one off, and defeat the Lions by a score of 31-28.